Egypt Welcomes the Virgin

The Author: Prof. Suleiman Nassim
Original Book Title: مصر تستقبل العذراء
The Publisher: El Mahba - Bookshop
Publication Year: 1968
Book Language:
ISBN: N/A

Introduction

This book was published in August 1968, shortly after the apparition of the holy virgin Mary on April 2 ,1968, and the writer presented his testimony as an eyewitness to the events.
This book was revised by his Grace Bishop Anba Gregory, Head of the fact-finding committee, formed by HH Pope Cyril VI and presented by Anba Shenouda, Bishop of education (later his Holiness Pope Shenouda III).
He said: ‘’it’s always pleasant and sweet to speak about our mother the honorable Virgin St. Mary, we are never tired or bored to praise or glorify her. We also ask for her intercession and faithful prayers for the salvation of our souls. Our book, ‘’Egypt welcomes Virgin Mary’’, was written by professor Dr. Soliman Nassim, one of the pioneers of education and Sunday schools teaching in the Coptic Orthodox Church, who held the position of Professor and Head of the department of Sociology and education at the institute of Coptic studies, and Professor and Head of the department of Humanities at the Faculty of Technology and Education in Helwan.
This book is a study, documentation and analysis of the apparition of Virgin Mary in Zeitoun on the 2nd of April 1968.

The writer’s style

The author addressed the event of the apparition from several aspects, he explains first the status of the Saints in the Coptic Orthodox Church, then recounts the story of the Holy Family’s visit to Egypt in the first century, and then he moved to the core subject: The apparition of Virgin Mary in her church in Zeitoun in April 1968.
The writer’s spiritual and religious background is clearly evident in his numerous quotations from the Bible. He doesn’t focus on the apparition just as a historical event, but considers it a divine message with profound spiritual and religious significance.

The book’s evaluation

This book is special among the others that have dealt with the apparitions of Virgin Mary in Zeitoun, as it was published while the Virgin Mary was continuing her apparitions which made it a testament to the credibility of the apparitions and the opposite is also true.
The book addresses the questions and doubts raised about the apparition at the beginning of the event, such as the possibility that it was just an optical illusion resulting from the reflection of lights. It also mentions the measures taken by the government authorities to investigate the matter, such as turning off the lights and interfering
the work of the electric lamps in the area, which led to the increase in the visibility of the luminous apparition.

The credibility of the apparition of Virgin Mary according to Dr. Soliman Nassim:

Dr. Soliman Nassim defended the truth of the apparition of Virgin Mary in Zeitoun, and based his defense on several points:

Collective testimonies:
He pointed out that the apparitions were witnessed by thousands of citizens from different religions and sects, Egyptians and foreigners, religious people and scientists, making it very hard to deny.

The official statements:
The official statement issued by the Papal See of the Coptic Orthodox Church on May 4,1968, confirmed the authenticity of the apparition and supported its veracity with its investigations conducted by the Patriarchate. His Eminence also mentioned the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism’s acknowledgment of the apparition.

Christian Clergy testimonies:
Testimonies of senior clergy, including Bishops and priests from the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Testimonies of heads of other Christian denominations, such as his Beatitude Cardinal Stephanos I, Patriarch of the Coptic Catholic Church, and Dr. Ibrahim Said, Head of the Evangelical denominations at that time.

The writer’s scientific background

The scientific background of Dr. Soliman Nassim (the author) has influenced the way this book was issued. He connected between the Virgin’s apparition and the Holy Family’s trip to Egypt, tracing its historical route and its passage through the same area where St. Mary appeared in 1968. He interpreted the Virgin Mary’s apparition in Zeitoun at the particular time in light of the political circumstances and the way the country was experiencing after the Six-Day War. He considered the apparition a message of consolidation and peace for the Egyptians at their time of distress.
The author’s view of the healing miracles that occurred during the Virgin Mary’s apparition in Zeitoun:
Dr. Soliman considered the miracles strong evidence of the apparition’s authenticity. He also pointed out the powerful impact of the miraculous apparition and its effect on many people, not only on the level of physical healing, but also as a source of faith that drew people closer to God. This has strengthened their faith and filled them with joy and peace not only on a spiritual and psychological level, but also confirmed their love for one another.

The conclusion

“And if this to conclude, perhaps it will come from me personally, when I witnessed this heavenly vision on the evening of May 4, 1968, at approximately 8:45 PM. It manifested as 2 doves, shining with pure white, that flew away with lighting speed, followed by the appearance of 2 moving clouds from which emerged the halo of Virgin Mary in unparalleled beauty, which I still imagine today, from it, I draw a comforting spiritual experience and I remember that the following day, when I went to pray at her church in Zamalek, this wondrous vision was on my mind, especially during the hymns dedicated to the Virgin. I felt an indescribable spiritual comfort, and unspeakable and glorious joy…”